Bachelorette brings “loke” ceremony to Maui

I admit it: There are many reasons not to watch “The Bachelorette” on ABC Sunday night (July 12), Monday night (July 13) starting with the basic premise and including, well, the basic premise. But you know, “Hawaii” is one of my TiVo keywords, and sometimes even the most heinous shows reveal Hawaii’s beauty in unexpected ways — and the high-def doesn’t hurt, either.

So there’s at least one reason to watch “The Bachelorette” at 8 p.m. Pacific time (check your local listings): Before the two-hour special winds up with the obligatory “rose ceremony,” sending one lucky schmoe off the unreality show, protagonist Jillian goes on three “dates” on the Hawaiian isle symbolized by the rose: Maui. Armchair travelers can simply turn the sound down and just enjoy the scenery, from the West Maui resorts of Kā’anapali (oceanfront suites at the Westin or Sheraton, anyone?) and Kapalua (I predict ziplining) to East Maui’s ocean cliffs (site of a picnic near the Hotel Hāna-Maui). A helicopter tour and snorkel cruise will provide other perspectives of the Valley Isle’s vistas; there’s also footage of a beachfront luau (you may want to turn the sound up for that.)

The “loke” ceremony, by the way, takes place at Olowalu Plantation House, an oceanfront rental home primarily used for weddings. I guess it’s as good a place as any to get dumped on television.